Mathieu Lehanneur: “There Was a Media Surge the Day After the Opening Ceremony”

In 2023, Lehanneur was commissioned to design three iconic objects for the Paris 2024 Games: the torch and the Olympic and Paralympic cauldrons. This globally resonant project not only showcased his work to billions of spectators but also marked a career-defining moment. Following the historic event and his recognition as “Designer of the Year 2024” by Maison&Objet, Lehanneur met with us at the Olympic Museum to discuss this extraordinary experience.

As intensely as possible. For years, I’ve aimed to evoke emotions through objects and furniture that resonate deeply with my audience. The Olympic project went far beyond my expectations, with the torch of course, but even more so with the Olympic cauldron. Creating something viewed by billions is a rare opportunity in a designer’s life, especially within such a monumental event where the unveiled object gains such significance. I received tens of thousands of messages from people, both in my community and from those discovering my work for the first time, sharing their pride and emotion. The day after the opening ceremony, there was an unprecedented media surge. The Olympics transformed my platform into something global.

The Olympic cauldron. Few people recall previous cauldrons, and they’re not typically museum pieces. My aim was for mine to leave a lasting impression throughout the Games. I felt immense joy and excitement when the cauldron was lit. Collaborating with top experts in technique, engineering, and flame development was incredibly fulfilling, and the reveal brought a wave of unimaginable support and love.

It was undoubtedly the most intense. Given the stakes, every element had to be perfectly controlled, ready on time with zero margin for delay. I had to deliver whaterver happened. There was some stress—especially during the flame’s ignition—as there’s always an element of unpredictability. On opening day, we faced challenging weather. Rain wasn’t an issue, but the wind could have prevented the cauldron’s ascent. We could have had to decide not to launch it.